Vaclav Prospal | Winger | #22

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Vaclav Prospal is okay with his retirement from hockey.

The soon to be 39-year-old inked a tryout with the Canucks AHL affiliate in Utica last week but decided to retire after one practice. "It was 'What am I doing here? Why am I not with my family? Why am I doing this?'," Prospal said. "So I called my wife. I called my agent. And that was it. I retired. And right after I made the decision, oh, a weight came off me. It felt like I was finally free of all the pressure. I don’t have to prove to anybody that I'm better than the guy sitting next to me. I don't have to fight off that guy fighting for my job, or the other guy trying to take my spot on the power play. I just felt such a relief." Prospal had 255 goals and 765 points in 1,108 NHL games with seven teams. We wish him well in retirement. Thu, Jan 30, 2014 08:27:00 AM

Prospal seemingly had the opportunity to extend his career by signing with Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Utica, but he decided it was time to hang up his skates. "I loved playing hockey, I loved scoring goals and I loved being a part of the NHL for so many years," Prospal said. "That said, within minutes of me stepping on the ice for practice last week in Abbotsford, I knew that I wanted to focus on something that was more important than hockey, my family." He had 255 goals, 765 points, and 581 penalty minutes in 1,108 career games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Tue, Jan 28, 2014 12:26:00 PM

On the verge of signing a minor-league tryout contract with the Vancouver Canucks’ organization, former Blue Jackets forward Vinny Prospal opted instead to retire Friday.

Prospal, 38, played 16 seasons and 1,108 games for seven organizations. In 130 games with the Blue Jackets, he had 28 goals and 57 assists and became known around the league for his over-the-top goal celebrations. Prospal delighted many Jackets fans during a win over the Detroit Red Wings late last season when he emerged from a scrap with defenseman Niklas Kronwall and pointed at the scoreboard to taunt him. He had made it known through his agent, Ritch Winter, that he wanted desperately to re-sign with the Jackets, but the team wasn’t interested, even after a slow start when it struggled to score. The Jackets wanted to leave ice time available for young players such as Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert and Jenner. Sat, Jan 25, 2014 09:54:00 AM

Prospal has already informed the Vancouver Canucks of his decision after turning down an offer to play for AHL Utica. He had an up-and-down career, but when the dust settled, he had a remarkable 255 goals and 765 points in 1,108 games. Fri, Jan 24, 2014 01:32:00 PM

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Prospal seemingly had the opportunity to extend his career by signing with Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Utica, but he decided it was time to hang up his skates. "I loved playing hockey, I loved scoring goals and I loved being a part of the NHL for so many years," Prospal said. "That said, within minutes of me stepping on the ice for practice last week in Abbotsford, I knew that I wanted to focus on something that was more important than hockey, my family." He had 255 goals, 765 points, and 581 penalty minutes in 1,108 career games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

On the verge of signing a minor-league tryout contract with the Vancouver Canucks’ organization, former Blue Jackets forward Vinny Prospal opted instead to retire Friday.

Prospal, 38, played 16 seasons and 1,108 games for seven organizations. In 130 games with the Blue Jackets, he had 28 goals and 57 assists and became known around the league for his over-the-top goal celebrations. Prospal delighted many Jackets fans during a win over the Detroit Red Wings late last season when he emerged from a scrap with defenseman Niklas Kronwall and pointed at the scoreboard to taunt him. He had made it known through his agent, Ritch Winter, that he wanted desperately to re-sign with the Jackets, but the team wasn’t interested, even after a slow start when it struggled to score. The Jackets wanted to leave ice time available for young players such as Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert and Jenner.

Prospal has already informed the Vancouver Canucks of his decision after turning down an offer to play for AHL Utica. He had an up-and-down career, but when the dust settled, he had a remarkable 255 goals and 765 points in 1,108 games.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is recommending in print that the New York Rangers sign free-agent forward Vaclav Prospal to add some offense.

"Impossible as it may sound, the Rangers’ lineup in Detroit on Saturday night will include only two forwards (Brad Richards with five and Derek Dorsett with one) who have scored a goal this season," Brooks writes. "Vinny Prospal is out there, a free agent who has been known to provide some pop and crackle, even if he won’t win even a single foot-race; a free agent who was a popular and productive Ranger for a couple of seasons not all that long ago. True enough, he would be returning at 38 in a young man’s league, and might have issues dealing with the pace, but the thing is, he always has. Yet, he has always found a way to produce, last year leading the Blue Jackets with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in the 48-game season after recording 55 points (16-39) the previous season." Brooks adds: "The Post has learned (Rangers general manager Glen) Sather has had conversations with Prospal, who is training in the Czech Republic, and his representative."

The 38-year-old forward played for the Blue Jackets last season and had 12 goals and 30 points in the 48 game truncated schedule. Columbus will need some scoring early in the season as their top free agent signing Nathan Horton, will miss at least the first two months of the season after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery but there has not been a contract offer with training camp slated to begin on Thursday. Stay tuned.

The Blue Jackets don't appear likely right now to make a contract offer to Vinny Prospal.

"Are we going to extend him an offer? We’re not sure we want to do that yet," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "We want to give him the proper respect if we do and he may not even want to do it. We always like to keep our options open, but I’d say right now we’ll stand pat unless we make an offer to Vinny." According to Capgeek.com, the Blue Jackets have a little more than $2 million in cap space. Prospal, who had 30 points last season, made $2.5 million.

Prospal wants to re-sign with the Blue Jackets and with newly signed Nathan Horton out of action until December at the earliest because of upcoming shoulder surgery, the team will need some help with their top-six forwards. Prospal had 12 goals and 30 points in 48 games with the Blue Jackets in 2013 which translates into a 51 point season over a full 82 game schedule. Stay tuned.

Prospal is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this ummer. "I want the public and the fans to know I’m not shutting the door on anything," Prospal said. "I want to come back. I want to be part of this team, especially after the way we played after the start. We’ve really turned a corner and I can see where this is going. It's going to be good here." That being said, the Blue Jackets are still weighing their options. Prospal had 12 goals and 30 points in 48 games this season.

Kekalainen did add that he's very satisfied with Prospal's performance this season. "He made a big contribution," Kekalainen said. "He always scores. I've seen him since he was a young kid. You always wonder how he does it, but every year he does it. He scores goals and has assists and contributes that way. He's had a great career, and I have a lot of respect for his career and the way he played this year." Prospal had 12 goals and 30 points in 48 games.

Vaclav Prospal is the Columbus Blue Jackets nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

The trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. "Vinny has helped us (coaches) out in a lot of ways," coach Todd Richards said. "It's his preparedness. It's his professionalism. It's his passion. He brings it all to the table, and he has for a long time now. He's a guy who knows how to have fun. He makes the work fun, and the guys feed off that. But he's also a guy who knows when it's time to get busy and get to work, and the guys see that, too." Prospal will become a UFA at the end of the season but does want to return to the Blue Jackets. Prospal has 12 goals and 29 points in 46 games this season.

Prospal is now on a three-game point streak. With 11 goals and 26 points in 42 games, Prospal isn't exactly having a great season by his standards, but he might still finish the campaign on a strong note as the Blue Jackets compete for one of the final playoffs spots.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are riding high on an 11-game point streak heading into Friday’s game against the Calgary Flames and Stanley Cup playoffs are in reach after a three-year hiatus, and Vaclav (Vinny) Prospal says it's because the team has finally learned how to win.

"What drives an individual is to prove people wrong," Prospal said. "This is something that is awesome right now. You see us every day in practice. You see us after games. You see how different it is compared to last year. For us as an organization, we’re finally learning how to win, how to play meaningful games down the stretch in the second half of a season. With all due respect to some of the players who were here prior, that wasn’t always the case."

Depth Charts

Brandon Dubinsky continued his scoring ways with a goal in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Capitals.

The veteran pivot now has two goals and five points in 14 games this season, each point of which has come this month. Known more for his physical play at this point, it's good to see him contribute more to the score sheet.

Sam Gagner led the Blue Jackets to a 4-1 victory on Monday with two goals and two assists.

Gagner was limited to just eight goals and 16 points in 51 games with Philadelphia last season, but he seems to have turned his career around in Columbus. After Monday's showing he now has 10 goals and 17 points in 23 games this season. Nick Foligno and Zach Werenski each found the back of the net for the Blue Jackets. Cam Atkinson assisted on two of Columbus' four goals.

Alexander Wennberg scored the game-tying goal Saturday night late in the third to force the Columbus Blue Jackets into overtime with the Arizona Coyotes, where they won a 3-2 decision in the shootout.

Wennberg has scored goals in every other contest since being part of the 5-3 decision over the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 25th. This was his sixth goal of the season and his 21st point. Cam Atkinson and Sam Gagner recorded shootout goals for the victory.

William Karlsson picked up a goal and an assist in Friday's 4-2 win over the New York Rangers.

Karlsson opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at the 16:34 mark of the first period. He also helped set up Matt Calvert's game-winning goal, which was scored shorthanded. Karlsson finished the game with a plus-1 rating, three shots on goal and two giveaways in 14:34 of ice time. The 23-year-old is currently riding a three-game point streak. He's accumulated three goals and five assists in 15 games.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have suspended Gregory Campbell for failing to report to the AHL after clearing waivers.

Campbell is on record saying that he wants to take time to contemplate his future, as he thinks it wouldn't be fair to take away a roster spot from a young kid down on the farm. GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been trying to trade Campbell but to no avail just yet. One way or another the situation will resolve itself, and Columbus wouldn't mind if it took as much of his cap hit off the books as possible.

Sedlak made the Blue Jackets as their 13th forward and has been a healthy scratch since then. The 23-year-old has traditionally not been much of an offensive threat, but he did excel during the 2016 AHL playoffs with nine goals and 16 points in 17 games.

Jenner had 30 goals last season as well as 47 points but this season has not been kind to the forward as he was on a six game pointless streak before finding the back of the net Thursday. He has only four goals and eight points in 23 games but he looks like he is showing signs of ending his season long slump.

The Blue Jackets pummeled Mike Smith in the Arizona net with 60 shots but managed to get just two past him in regulation and overtime before prevailing in the shootout. Saad did not score but had one assist and now has seven goals and 20 points in 22 games. He is a must start.

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has been happy with the team's discipline in contrast to last season and Hartnell's severe drop in PIM is a reflection of that. But while Hartnell's far more disciplined play is good for Columbus, it has been a negative for fantasy owners in certain leagues. Hartnell has scored five goals and 15 points in 24 contests so he does have some value beyond his PIM generation, but that was traditionally a big part of his appeal to fantasy owners and now it might be a thing of the past.

Matt Calvert returned to the Columbus lineup Saturday after missing five games with an eye injury and concussion.

Calvert took 36 stitches to his eye and while that has healed nicely, the concussion issues forced him to be on the sidelines longer than he thought he would have to be but he did play two games before he left the lineup. "Midweek there after the second game (Nov. 21 against Colorado), I just wasn’t feeling good," Calvert said. "I think concussions have been a big thing across the league. If you’re not right, you should really tell your trainer. They handled it well and the doctor handled it great. I was in great hands and I’m feeling great right now. Sometimes symptoms don’t pop up until a few days after. I thought I was good, but then two games later I just wasn’t feeling great. I let them know. I went through the protocol and I just wasn’t myself, so I had to take some time off."

Josh Anderson has shown a lot of promise this season, but to take another next step he needs to be a more consistent producer.

"He has seven goals right now, that’s good stuff," said Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella. "But he has to continue to stay on top of himself as far as . . . what it is to be a pro. I’m not sure on that with him. Does it get good to him because he had a good night? Or, does he come back and do it the next game with even more concentration? That’s the key with these young guys. I have a question mark with Josh on that." Anderson had a goal and two assists on Tuesday and also found the back of the net on Friday. Before that though he went four games without a point and he also had an eight-game point drought earlier in the campaign. It's not unusual for young players to go on more severe hot and cold streaks, but he might end up with 40-50 points this season regardless.

This is the first time in his career that Johnson is a plus-player but it is coming at a cost as he is not seeing any power play time as coach John Tortorella is using Zach Werenski and Seth Jones on the point, relegating Johnson and Ryan Murray to the bench with the man=advantage. "They’re not happy about it," Tortorella said. "Trust me, they’re not happy. But I think it’s a great lesson for our young players to look at them and how they’re handling it.
"We split up for the (power play) meeting and there’s Jack and Murr, still in the dressing room. That’s hard, because I know they want to be a part of it. But it doesn’t affect how they come to work each day, and that’s a big for us." Johnson has five assists this season and has still been a force on the blueline.

Zach Werenski racked up a game-high seven shots on Friday against Tampa Bay.

The rookie defender also registered an assist during the first period on a power-play goal by Nick Foligno. Werenski has compiled five goals and 11 helpers through the first 19 games of his NHL career. What a fantastic start for the talented 19-year-old.

The Blue Jackets were shut out for the first time all season as they dropped a 2-0 decision to Calgary. Savard has seen his power play time go down this season with rookie Zach Werenski picking up his slack but Savard has been a solid member of the blueline corps this season. "He doesn't get a lot of attention at that position, and at that position that’s a good thing," coach John Tortorella said. "He’s a foundation guy. You can't win without a guy like that, and he's served that role very well." Savard has a goal and three assists this season so he is not worth having in your fantasy lineup.

The defenseman was a surprise addition to the Blue Jackets blue line during training camp as he made the squad. He has played well for most of the season but has seen his play slip of late with defensive miscues. Nevertheless, he potted his first of the season Saturday and now has two points in 13 games with a plus-two rating. He should not be on your fantasy radar at this time.

It'll be Curtis McElhinney, not Sergei Bobrovsky, in net against the Coyotes on Saturday.

Thus will mark the backup's third start and fourth game of the season. He's turned away 74 of 80 combined shots this season and is 0-0-2. With a loaded slate of games tonight, you may wish to find a more favorable matchup.